New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer has been named a finalist for the Calder Trophy along with Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov and Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke.
Schaefer recorded 23 goals with 36 assists for 59 points, averaging 24:41 minutes per game. He was a +13, as well.
His 23 goals were not just tied with Sennecke for the rookie league, but ranked second in the NHL this season amongst defensemen, sitting tied with Washington Capitals defenseman Jacob Chychrun.
Not only that, but he also ties former New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch for the most goals by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.
Schaefer's 36 assists ranked third, one behind Sennecke and seven behind Demidov. His 59 points ranked third, one behind Sennecke and three behind Demidov.
His eight power-play goals were tied for second with Chychrun for the second-most amongst defenseman, with Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh leading the way with 10.
His 24:41 minutes per game was tied for the 12th most minutes per game in the NHL with Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard and Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber.
Like an infomercial, but wait, there's more:
Schaefer will be taking this award home, becoming the first Islanders rookie since 2017-18 (Mathew Barzal) to win this award and the fifth Islanders rookie to ever win:
Bryan Trottier -- 1976
Mike Bossy -- 1978
Bryan Berard -- 1997
Mathew Barzal -- 2018
How many points do you think Schaefer will record next season?
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 21: Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Once again, rumor time has struck the Valley, as online discussion has continued to escalate. With teams continuing to get eliminated from the first round, new shakeups are being hypothesized every single hour over on Twitter. That leaves us today with our latest discussion that has hit the Suns’ world, as fans have clung to a new name that may be hitting the market.
It is expected that the Trail Blazers will field plenty of external trade interest in Jrue Holiday, per @JakeLFischer
Even with the Trail Blazers exceeding expectations, similarly to Phoenix, and beating them in the Play-In tournament, some shakeup seems likely for this Northwest franchise. With the emergence of Scoot Henderson in the first round of the playoffs and Damian Lillard gearing up to return, the question of Jrue Holiday remaining in Portland continues to grow.
The guard was traded there just last year from the Boston Celtics, who were looking to shed salary to drop below the second apron. I wonder if that sounds familiar, Suns fans? Anyways, the guard this offseason could also see another change of scenery, from the recent reporting of Jake Fischer.
For a team in Phoenix with already a surplus of guards, you would think this means they turn away from this, but with his complementary fit alongside Booker, the question is: should they? That is why today we are back with another breakdown of how this could be done for the Suns and whether they should consider it.
How could it get done?
Looking at Jrue Holiday’s contract is pretty taxing. The veteran guard is owed $72 million over the next two seasons with a player option in his final year. With making just under $35 million this year, the only two ways it could realistically get done. You either trade Jalen Green in a one-for-one trade or the combination of Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen.
Which would make the most sense?
As we noted above, the Blazers’ main motivation for moving Holiday off was to give their guard room more freedom, so taking Green back makes zero sense on their end. Unless it was a three-team deal (which, if you want to get creative, let me know down below), it’s virtually impossible.
This leaves us with the package of O’Neale and Allen, who would bring some quality depth and three-point shooting to a team that could benefit from it. Portland was 28th for three-point range last season, hitting 34.3%. And they were dead last in the NBA in bench three-point shooting, where they were 32.0%. Adding O’Neale and Allen would help in this area.
Even if this makes sense for the Blazers and Holiday is a good stylistic fit for the Suns, there are concerns.
Why does it not get done?
For multiple reasons, this package doesn’t get it across the finish line. Mainly on the Suns’ end, as they now take on Holiday, and they face the surplus guard problem. With Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin wanting to resign, this forces them into a Jalen Green trade.
One that the league now knows they are forced to make: with low-ball offers from other GM’s, potentially leaving Phoenix with holes in other areas if they do not accept those deals. Not only that, but you add the age and injury history of Holiday in recent years, and that becomes an issue. With him being 36 going into next year, that does not push forward the youth movement the Suns want to embrace either.
Unfortunately, there is something in the water in Phoenix, as everyone who has come here via trade has suffered an injury. Even if they are completely healthy in their previous endeavors, they always run into some issues here. The guard, who is also going to be in his 18th year, would be a great fit both on the court and playstyle-wise, but has too many concerns with his large dollar amount.
With the league only getting younger and deeper, Holiday would not solve one of those issues for this team and leave an even bigger hole in another spot. Even if his ability to be a perfect locker room fit and culture guy would be a nice addition, it is not worth the cost for the Suns. I do see the benefit of him being the point guard, and of him embracing the team’s defensive hard work and hustle as well. He would definitely make things easier on Booker, but at what cost?
Especially in their position, Holiday is an addition to put you over the top for a championship, as he did for the Bucks and Celtics. The Suns are just not in that spot right now, which is why, even if he is one of my favorite fits alongside Booker, I say it is a no-go.
If Holiday proves he is still a solid player once he is off that contract, I would absolutely LOVE to have him as a secondary guard on a cheaper deal, but the price is not worth the risk in this instance.
Let me know your thoughts down below. Would you entertain a trade for Jrue Holiday for this Suns team?
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 15: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves catches a fly ball in the fourth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at Truist Park on April 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Braves have been good so far, but they’re also keeping it interesting as they navigate injuries and the inexorable grind of the season. Tonight’s bit of intrigue: Michael Harris II is back, but… he’s in left field! I guess that gives his ailing quad muscle a bit of a break relative to center field, where Mauricio Dubon will continue to flag balls down, and Mike Yastrzemski shifts to right.
So, Drake Baldwin remains at leadoff, but Harris returns to the starting lineup and hits cleanup. Dominic Smith also makes his return at DH, as Sean Murphy sits a day after being activated from the Injured List. Someone asked earlier, and I looked it up — the Braves haven’t had someone listed at catcher hit leadoff since 1973.
I still think it’s kind of weird that the Braves deliberately going with three blocks of the same handedness rather than alternating them, but that may not have a huge effect. It’s just somewhat contrary to usual practice.
For the Mariners, Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh returns to the lineup, though he’s ensconced at DH for now. That means no Dominic Canzone in this one.
Batter-versus-pitcher stuff is very limited. Everyone in the Braves’ lineup sans Baldwin has faced George Kirby before, but only Jorge Mateo has double-digit PAs. The collective line is a very sad .238 wOBA and .234 xwOBA in 49 PAs; the Braves probably can’t afford that level of performance if they want to extend their no-series-losses streak.
There’s even less exposure in terms of Bryce Elder versus the Mariners — no one has more than six PAs, and the last three in the lineup haven’t faced Elder at all. The total line comes in just 18 PAs and is a pretty scary .363 wOBA / .377 xwOBA. Not that that’s predictive, but it’s also not exciting.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 8: Houston Astros GM Dana Brown is interviewed during the annual Houston Astros media luncheon at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Houston. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
It has been a disaster of an offseason for the Astros GM, now does he have what it takes to fix it?
Every season in MLB is essentially a new project, with additions and subtractions to the active roster, to the 40 man roster, to the minor league system. It is a new puzzle each year, one with an unknown shape, and the GM is tasked with acquiring enough pieces or the right pieces (or both) to fill a puzzle that he doesn’t yet know the layout of.
It’s a very difficult job trying to guess the puzzle ahead of time, which is why GMs make a whole lot of money. They hold the keys to the castle, building it and maintaining it is their foremost responsibility. The challenges of doing so are irrelevant, you are judged on wins and losses.
Right now the Astros are losing too much. The way in which they are losing is borderline incredulous.
In the Golden Era of Astros baseball, pitching and defense have been hallmarks of the organization. The Astros consistently won by pitching their tails off and taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes and then punishing them for making them.
This year, the Astros are the team making the mistakes. They are also the team that cannot pitch.
That the Astros cannot pitch is a concept so far from the reality of the past 10 years, it would not be unreasonable for someone to assume I am pulling their leg, or at the very least am being highly sarcastic. Yet, here we are.
The Astros 5.78 ERA as a team is the worst in baseball. It is 0.71 runs per game WORSE than the 2nd worst team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
How did the Astros get here? After all, when they were the most injured pitching staff in a generation, they still managed a respectable 3.86 ERA, good for 11th in MLB. What has gone wrong?
Everything.
After the team elected to allow staff ace Framber Valdez to leave via free agency, they chose to address their pitching needs in the bargain bin. While that isn’t necessarily a failing strategy, this year and to this point, it has been.
The Astros signed/acquired 5 starting pitchers and a group of relievers, that to this point have failed far more than they have succeeded.
Mike Burrows was acquired in a 3-way trade in the offseason that saw Houston send Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito to Tampa. in his rookie season a year ago in Pittsburgh, Burrows showed some promise. He went 3-4 with a 3.94 ERA over 96 innings, with a 1.24 WHIP and 97 strikeouts.
This season to date, he has not fared nearly as well, currently sitting at 1-4 with a 5.97 ERA and 1.65 WHIP over 37.2 innings. He has allowed the most hits in the AL with 49, and he has already allowed 8 home runs.
Burrows H/9 rate has exploded from 8.3 to 11.7. While he has been the subject of some tough luck, that doesn’t explain the 3.5 hits per nine increase, nor does it explain his HR/9 rate jumping so hard (from 1.2 last year to 1.9 this year). Poor command has been mostly to blame.
Tatsuya Imai has been perplexing. He was practically untouchable all spring, and then started strong in his first game until he lost the strike zone in the 3rd inning and couldn’t get out of it. Imai was terrific in his second start, going 5.2 innings scoreless with 9K for his first MLB win. His 3rd start was an abject disaster in which he allowed 3 runs on 4 walks and 1 hit, and only recorded one out. He went on the IL after that start with arm fatigue.
In his first rehab start, he again couldn’t find the strike zone, and threw only 31 of his 59 pitches for strikes. He will make another rehab start tonight in Sugar Land, and the Astros desperately need their biggest ticket free agent signing to right the ship and be the kind of frontline starter he was expected to be when he arrived.
Ryan Weiss has been a total failure. Coming over from the KBO where he dominated last season and led his team to their version of the World Series, he started well in his first 3 appearances and then completely fell apart. Weiss allowed just 1 run total in his first 3 appearances totaling 6 innings. He walked two and struck out 7. He looked like a terrific international signing.
However, over his last 6 outings, he has been simply awful. He’s allowed 21 ER over his last 20 innings, with 18 walks and a ridiculous 7 home runs. He hasn’t just set fire to games, he’s taken a flamethrower to them. He was optioned to Triple-A after his appearance last night as the Astros will try to figure out what happened to his command.
Nate Pearson was returning from surgery, and is also expected to make a rehab assignment today at Sugar Land. He has not yet made an appearance for Houston.
The two moves that can be argued in Brown’s favor for the pitching staff thus far are for Kai-Wei Teng and Peter Lambert.
Teng was acquired in a trade with the Giants for Jancel Villaroel. Teng has been one of their best pitchers, able to give them length, spot start, and handle leverage so far in a bullpen that has been significantly overworked and has not been able to get players into established roles. While Teng has not been used primarily as a starter this season, he has been a starter in the past, and Dana Brown did say they were interested in stretching Teng out as a starter.
Teng is 1-2 with a 2.35 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. He has allowed just 15 hits (albeit 3 HR) with 7 walks and 22 strikeouts. His versatility and effectiveness have been one of the few bright spots in the bullpen.
Lambert, who pitched the last 2 years in Japan, was originally signed by the Astros to a MiLB deal in November 2025. The Astros then released him March 24 after he did not make the Opening Day roster and Lambert triggered an opt-out clause in his contract. He re-signed a minor league deal with Houston 3 days later.
Lambert began the season at Triple A, posting a 1.84 ERA in 3 appearances (2 starts) for Sugar Land. He allowed 3 ER in 14.2 IP with 3 BB and 12K. Since being called up by the Astros, Lambert has been solid, going 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, having been the unfortunate recipient of poor relief in his first start. Lambert has generated a lot of swings and misses in his first 2 starts as well, and has been a solid lifeline for a rotation in distress.
This rotation retooling thus far has not succeeded, and has been further hampered by injuries to staff ace Hunter Brown and Cristian Javier, neither of whom is expected back until June at the earliest.
Now, Burrows could still get things turned around and he has been better in his past two starts. Imai could return to his proper and expected form and have a strong 4 months. Both of those things would go a long way to getting the Astros right and making Brown’s offseason look better.
Brown’s offseason literally hangs in the balance of the resurgence of Burrows and Imai. Those aren’t bad bets, but they leave no room for error.
What does Brown do if those two guys don’t pan out? It isn’t realistic to expect guys like Jason Alexander and Colton Gordon to be starters the entire season and be effective. Whether or not Weiss can right the ship is anyone’s guess but definitely should not be counted on.
The biggest question is what can Dana Brown do if the offseason is indeed a failure? The Astros don’t have the depth or the minor league top talent to acquire big time pitching at the trade deadline, if the team is even good enough to warrant such moves then. Those moves may need to be made much sooner.
Does Brown have the ability to swing those deals? Being in the final year of his contract, does he even have the authority to swing those deals?
We don’t know what handcuffs Brown has had to deal with, other than the payroll restrictions obviously put on him by owner Jim Crane, who is very reticent to pay the luxury tax for a third straight season unless he thinks there is a big move to make at the deadline to make them serious contenders. Right now, they are at best a Wild Card hopeful more than a Divisional contender, let alone a title contender.
We have seen this team overcome bad starts and bad stretches before (see 12-24 start in 2024). We have seen other teams do the same in recent seasons (see Atlanta 2021 and Cleveland 2025). It is possible.
What Brown can do for the Astros here is paramount to his job security. If the moves he’s already made don’t pan out, he is likely gone. Whether or not he has the ammunition or authority to make more moves is very much in question, and we are likely to find out what the answers to those questions are soon.
Brown needs a new plan to get this team in the right direction. Does he have one? Is he allowed to execute it?
Right now, he appears to be the person most culpable for a struggling team’s roster that has an overburdened and underperforming pitching staff, and Jim Crane doesn’t like to lose.
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 27: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons and Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers go up for a jump ball during the game on February 27, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
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The battle between LeBron James and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will go a long way towards deciding who advances to the Western Conference finals between the Lakers and Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images
And on the Thunder’s side, you have the reigning and likely-to-be-two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the defending NBA champions to a league-best 64-win regular season.
With Doncic sidelined, series like Lakers-Thunder could be saddled with the “passing of the torch” narrative. But that isn’t the case at all: Gilgeous-Alexander firmly has “the torch” in a way James hasn’t in a while.
Gilgeous-Alexander claimed “the torch” when he led the Thunder to a franchise-best 68-win season in 2024-25 before receiving his first league MVP.
He became the 11th player in league history and, ironically, the first since James, to win the regular season and Finals MVP in the same season (which James did in back-to-back-years in 2012-13).
With respect to Nikola Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player in the league, with the opportunity to make even more history this postseason.
There’s no debating that Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player in the world, and he has a chance to further his legacy against LeBron James and the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images
In an era defined by parity, Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to lead the Thunder past the Lakers and back to the Western Conference finals, which could make them the first defending champions to qualify for that round since the 2018-19 Warriors.
And if Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder to becoming the first team since the 2018 Warriors to win back-to-back titles while winning regular season and Finals MVP again? He’d join James (2012-13) and Michael Jordan (1991-92) as the only players in league history to do so (it’s important to note that the Finals MVP was created in 1969, which was the final season of Bill Russell’s career).
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He could join James, Jordan, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win Finals MVP in back-to-back seasons.
What’s at stake for Gilgeous-Alexander is far greater than what’s at stake for James: Gilgeous-Alexander, who turns 28 in July, is in the midst of his prime. He could be putting together one of the greatest stretches by a player in consecutive seasons in league history. There should be a lot more chapters to write about his story.
James was the best player in the world for a decade, and now Gilgeous-Alexander has taken his crown. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
On the other hand, James’ legacy is solidified.
Four NBA titles, and four Finals MVPs. Four regular-season MVPs. A league-record 22-time All-Star and 21-time All-NBA honoree. The league’s record holder for most points and minutes played.
But in a career that’s unprecedented, James can accomplish something that’s even rarer for a star: Snatch “the torch” back during the latter stage of his career, even for a moment, by outplaying the league’s best player in a playoff series victory.
Usually when the window for a star to be the leading man on a title-contending team closes, it remains shut. James wasn’t the best player during the regular season, with Doncic and Reaves leading the way.
But he was during the first-round series against the Rockets with Doncic sidelined and Reaves out for four of the six games. And he still will be for the start of the series against the Thunder.
The closest comparison to what James can do is what Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did in 1985, when he became the oldest player in league history to win Finals MVP (38). The Lakers beat the defending champion Celtics, who were led by the then back-to-back MVP Larry Bird.
The stakes were obviously much higher because it was a Finals matchup between iconic rivals.
But the situations were also much different.
Abdul-Jabbar was just five years removed from winning his last MVP award in 1980, and only a year removed from receiving All-NBA first team honors, which he did again in 1986 for the final time.
Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, LeBron James has a chance to prove he’s still among the best in today’s game despite being 41 years old. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been 13 years since James last won an MVP, and six years since he last received All-NBA first team honors.
Abdul-Jabbar was teammates with Magic Johnson, who finished ahead of him in the 1984-85 regular season MVP voting, in the midst of his prime.
With Doncic out, James’ best teammate is Reaves, who’s coming off an injury-riddled All-Star-caliber season, with the best teammates after Reaves not being comparable to the “Showtime” Lakers roster.
Mar 3, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) defends Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (12) in the third quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard-Imagn Images
There are so many intriguing matchups and lineup decisions we are going to see as the Detroit Pistons face off with the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. I’m not sure which is my favorite, or which one is the most important. Jarett Allen vs. Jalen Duren? We are all curious what kind of Duren we will get after his offensive no-show against the Orlando Magic. Allen, meanwhile, was the hero of Game 7 for the Cavs, but the Toronto Raptors don’t have the size Detroit can throw at him. Perhaps it is Ausar Thompson vs. James Harden (or maybe Donovant Mitchell). We know Ausar can guard anyone in the NBA, but can he stay out of foul trouble when Cleveland’s stars are forcing the issue? Conversely, what about Duncan Robinson, who I am sure Cavs’ players will be hungry to switch onto and try to hunt on defense.
Will we have some different unsung heroes for Detroit? Is this a series where Ron Holland can make a mark? How much bigger of a role will Isaiah Stewart have against Cleveland’s double-big lineup. Cleveland’s guards can’t contain Cade Cunningham, but Kenny Atkinson surely knows that as well, and is likely fully prepared to throw Dean Wade and a bunch of other looks at him. How will Cade respond? Just about everything intrigues me about this matchup, and I hope the game lives up to how interesting the unknowns are. I’ve had my fill of gross-looking slugfests, thank you.
Game Vitals
When: 7 p.m. ET Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan Watch: Peacock, NBC Odds: Pistons -3.5
Logan Henderson (SP Brewers) - Rostered in 24 percent of Yahoo leagues
Due to another round of elbow inflammation, which was the same thing that ended his 2025 season, Henderson didn't get the chance to make the Brewers out of spring training. He did make a two-inning spot start the second week of the season, but he was otherwise limited to three-inning outings in Triple-A his first few times out. The Brewers finally let him go five innings in his final appearance for Nashville last week, and after getting the call to replace Brandon Woodruff in the Milwaukee's rotation, he fanned eight in six innings of two-run ball against the Nationals on Sunday.
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Not blessed with overwhelming stuff, Henderson succeeds by hitting his spots with his 91-95 mph fastball and finishing batters off with an excellent changeup. He's also throwing his high-80s cutter more frequently this year. He'll probably settle in as a No. 3 starter if he can stay healthy, but he should be one with a strong enough strikeout rate and WHIP to be of quite a bit of use in mixed leagues.
Health is a big question mark with Henderson at this point. He's topped out at 103 innings as a pro, but the back-to-back elbow issues are worrisome. Still, we're talking about a free player, not a long-term investment. As long as Henderson is in the Brewers rotation, he needs to be rostered in all leagues.
Gabriel Moreno (C Diamondbacks) - Rostered in 10 percent of Yahoo leagues
Moreno's progression at age 25 in 2025 made him look like he was on his way to being one of the league's best catchers in terms of hitting for average and getting on base. This year, though, he seems to want to be more of a power hitter. The bat speed is up, and so are the strikeouts. It hasn't paid off yet with him having one homer through 15 games, but there's hope; he's sporting a career-high pull rate and already has five barrels. That 13.2% barrel percentage is more than twice his career rate.
Moreno's big problem is that he can't stop getting hurt. He's already served an IL stint this year with a mild oblique strain. He was limited to 83 games last year by a fractured finger. Two years ago, he served IL stints due to a sprained thumb and a strained groin. He opened this season batting cleanup for the Diamondbacks, which seemed like a great opportunity given the success enjoyed by Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll as the team's top three hitters last year. Of course, none are hitting quite as well as hoped at the moment, and since returning from the oblique injury without the benefit of a rehab assignment, Moreno has been dropped in the order. So, it might still be a little while before Moreno really takes off. However, there's definite top 10-catcher ability here, even if he goes back to hitting more like he did last year.
Jared Jones (SP Pirates) - Rostered in 32 percent of Yahoo leagues
It's been a long time coming, but Jones finally returned to the mound in a game setting last week, striking out five in three perfect innings for Single-A Bradenton. He topped out at 101 mph in his first game action since last March. He was diagnosed with a UCL sprain in the middle of spring training, and after a setback when he tried to resume throwing in May, he had internal brace surgery. Now he's making his way back, perhaps with better stuff than ever.
Jared Jones throws 8 pitches 100+ mph in his first rehab start
Jones, the 44th overall pick in the 2020 draft, debuted with the Pirates at the start of 2024 and opened his career with a 2.63 ERA and a brilliant 52/5 K/BB in 41 innings over his first seven starts. He wasn't quite as stellar the rest of the way, especially after missing seven weeks with a lat strain, but he demonstrated ace-type talent with his elite fastball and slider and the improvement in his control.
The Pirates are definitely in a better spot now than when Jones previously pitched for the team, boasting an actual functioning offense that currently rates sixth in the league in runs per game. The club will be careful with him, but he should be efficient enough to put together a fair number of six-inning starts while keeping his pitch count down. Based on the way he threw last week, he's not going to last in free agent pools until the Pirates activate him at the end of the month.
Waiver Wire Quick Hits
- Caleb Killian was featured here a few weeks ago, and he's interesting again now with the Giants seemingly unsatisfied with Ryan Walker in the ninth. I worry that Keaton Winn will also be a big part of the saves mix if Walker is bumped back to middle relief, but I think Killian is the slightly more interesting of the two, what with his 28% strikeout rate to open the year.
- I'd love to recommend the Tigers' Brant Hurter with Tarik Skubal sidelined, if only the Tigers would promise to keep using him like they did on Sunday Night Baseball. He threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings after entering during the third and picked up a win over the Rangers. Maybe it will happen, but probably not as much during the team's current stretch, which features off days Thursday and next Monday.
As the San Francisco Giants are looking to string together a run of victories, they have been ranked near the bottom of nearly every MLB power ranking to start the 2026 season.
With a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday, May 4, the Giants won their third in the previous 10 games to improve to 14-21 on the season.
It's hasn't been an ideal start for the Giants' first-year skipper Tony Vitello. Vitello made MLB history when he was hired as manager by San Francisco with no prior coaching experience in the majors. He had been a standout, national championship-winning collegiate baseball coach at Tennessee.
However, through 35 games, the Giants have not looked like a team that could sneak into the wild card. It's too early to count them out, but after a month of baseball it's evident that something has got to give.
After a month of games, USA TODAY Sports gave the Giants a generous D+ grade for their performance. ESPN, meanwhile, gave San Francisco a D-. There's been times when you see the vision, but too many times when they can't get hits, can't get runs and can't close games. Here's where the Giants rank in experts' MLB power rankings:
Zack Meisel writes: "(Landen) Roupp was solid in 106 innings last year, but his performance through April suggested a breakout season could be unfolding before our eyes (at least, before his dud on Saturday. Pay no attention to that). He logged a 2.55 ERA in his first six starts, averaged more than a strikeout per inning and surrendered only one home run. He limited opponents to a .149/.248/.207 slash line, which means he essentially made every hitter resemble a pitcher trying to bat, and, well, they don’t do that anymore. That’s what the universal DH is for."
Will Leitch writes: "Whatever your thoughts about manager Tony Vitello and some of the changes the Giants made this season, it is incredibly difficult to get much traction when you can’t hit. The Giants have scored the fewest runs in baseball and have been shut out seven times, two more than any other MLB team. This is not the division in which you can get away with that."
Kerry Miller writes: "'Twas a brutal East Coast road trip for the Giants, whose well-compensated bats continue to be M.I.A. They averaged 1.5 runs per game and didn't hit a single home run while getting swept by both the Phillies and Rays, losing three of those six games in walk-off fashion. Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Willy Adames went a combined 9-for-66 (.136 AVG) with two runs and two RBI. Change needs to start there."
D.J. short writes: "The Giants have been swept by the Phillies and the Rays over the past week and have scored the fewest runs of any team in baseball. They’ve scored 12 fewer runs than the next-closest team, the Mets. The Giants are calling up prospects Bryce Eldridge and Jesus Rodriguez in hopes of giving a jolt to their beleaguered offense."
Alden Gonzalez writes: "There was a lot of consternation about the Giants, their offense and rookie manager Tony Vitello early on, when the first 11 games resulted in eight losses and few runs. Since then they've been, well, fine, suffering a four-game losing streak but also two separate three-game winning streaks. Logan Webb has been just OK in his starts, Rafael Devers has yet to get going offensively and Patrick Bailey, their brilliant defensive catcher, has been one of baseball's worst hitters. Assuming those things correct themselves -- and Harrison Bader gets back to who he's supposed to be when he returns off the IL -- perhaps Vitello's Giants will contend."
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 29: Elmer Rodriguez #71 of the New York Yankees walks to the dugout during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 29, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Didn’t we just do this? There’s a big feeling of deja vu in the air in The Bronx tonight, as the Yankees take on the Rangers for the second time in the last week after taking two out of three at Globe Life Field in Arlington last week.
That will give rookie starter Elmer Rodríguez a chance at redemption after taking the loss in his major league debut on April 29 against the Rangers, allowing two runs in four innings. There are clear areas he’ll be looking to improve in his debut in pinstripes today, especially in the walk department. For a guy who was generally billed as having solid command in the minor leagues, Rodríguez struggled to throw strikes amidst the nerves of his big league debut and will look to give himself a better chance of succeeding today by doing so. With Carlos Rodón on the cusp of returning, this might be his last shot to prove himself for a while.
But while he faced a good pitcher in Nathan Eovaldi last time, it’s nothing compared to the wizardry opposing him tonight in two-time Cy Young Jacob deGrom. Through six starts, the former Met has a 2.01 ERA (185 ERA+) and 2.92 FIP in 31.1 innings with 40 strikeouts. His last start? Also against the Yankees, where he allowed one run in six innings but was outdueled by Cam Schlittler.
Ben Rice is still out of the lineup with the hand injury he suffered on Sunday, so Paul Goldschmidt gets another start at first base. Trent Grisham leads off, followed by Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Jasson Domínguez. After JC Escarra caught Rodríguez in his first start, he’ll work with Austin Wells today.
Evan Carter’s the new leadoff hitter for Texas as they balance a lineup that now has both Wyatt Lnagford and Josh Smith on the injured list. Corey Seager and Josh Jung follow, with Joc Pederson at DH and cleaning up. Ezequiel Duran, Jake Burger, Alejandro Osuna, Danny Jansen, and veteran outfielder Andrew McCutchen round out the lineup.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium — The Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Rangers Sports Network
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY), 105.3 The Fan, KLFC 1270 (TEX)
Diaz was injured in batting practice Monday and manager Joe Espada didn’t provide a specific timeline for his injury but said he’d be out for "a while.”
The Astros selected the contract of catcher César Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday after Diaz was injured. He’ll serve as the team’s backup until Diaz is healthy with veteran Christian Vázquez stepping in as the starter.
The 27-year-old Diaz is hitting .248 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 26 games this season.
In other moves on Tuesday, the Astros recalled right-hander Jason Alexander and outfielder Zach Dezenzo from Sugar Land. Infielder Nick Allen was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and right-hander Ryan Weiss was optioned to Sugar Land.
Weiss has struggled this season, going 0-3 with a 7.62 ERA in nine games with two starts. He allowed eight hits and seven runs — six earned — in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-3 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night.
The Astros also designated outfielder Dustin Harris for assignment Tuesday. Harris hit .226 with four RBIs in 11 games after being selected off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on April 18.
May 3, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) in the second half during game seven of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Detroit Pistons host the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET tonight on NBCSN. Then the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC (WRC-TV).
Enjoy the basketball and the constant playing of John Tesh songs.
Detroit Tigers center fielder Matt Vierling (8) runs past third base to score a run against Boston Red Sox from catcher Dillon Dingler’s 2-RBI double during the eighth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Monday, May 4, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (18-18) vs. Boston Red Sox (14-21)
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Over the Monster Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.35 ERA) vs. RHP Brayan Bello (1-4, 9.12 ERA)
The Minnesota Timberwolves found an offensive approach that worked in the fourth quarter of Game 1, gashing the San Antonio Spurs’ defense with Rudy Gobert on the bench.
This Timberwolves vs. Spurs same-game parlay expects Minnesota to double-down on that approach in Game 2 on Wednesday, May 6.
Our best Timberwolves vs Spurs SGP for Game 2
SGP leg #1: Rudy Gobert Under 11.5 Rebounds (-125)
Rudy Gobert had six rebounds in Monday’s first quarter, and he still ended with 10 boards, falling short of a prop that was set at 10.5 to start the series, albeit at plus-money.
Gobert played an excellent 30 minutes in that tight win, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves tilt this series. Eight of those minutes came with Victor Wembanyama off the court, the San Antonio Spurs’ superstar’s only time off the court.
Minnesota is likely to focus Gobert on the chances with Wembanyama on the bench, but those are also likely to be few and far between, further limiting Gobert’s minutes.
SGP leg #2: Rudy Gobert Under 8.5 Points (-130)
Even when Gobert is on the court facing Wembanyama, Minnesota found success bringing Wemby into screen action, where he is prone to playing drop coverage despite Gobert creating separation in the on-ball defense. That allows for open 3-pointer looks for shooters like Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley and Naz Reid.
Gobert’s screen effectiveness helps the Timberwolves’ offense despite him not scoring, not to mention he managed just seven points in Game 1.
SGP leg #3: Over 215.5
Less Gobert will help both offenses. When he sat for the first 10-plus minutes of Monday’s fourth quarter, Minnesota scored 32 points. It had not yet managed more than 24 in any of the first three quarters.
Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Timberwolves vs Spurs predictions for Game 2.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Joel Peguero #63 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Kavin Mistry/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants are swapping right-handed pitchers ahead of Tuesday’s home game against the San Diego Padres. A few hours before the game, the team announced that right-handed starter Trevor McDonald had been optioned to AAA Sacramento, while right-handed reliever Joel Peguero had been activated off the 15-Day Injured List.
It might seem like a surprising sequence of moves after Monday’s game, when McDonald had one of the best pitching performances of the season for the Giants, holding the Padres to two hits and one run in seven innings, while striking out eight and walking none. But the Giants had six starters and just seven relievers, as the 25-year old McDonald had been brought up to settle the rotation following Thursday’s doubleheader. And since McDonald and Landen Roupp — the ace of the staff so far — are the only starters with options, this move always seemed most likely.
But McDonald impressed his teammates, coaching staff, and front office on Monday, and he’ll certainly be back soon, be it in the rotation or in the bullpen. After his performance in the series opener, you can bet that the Giants will feel comfortable turning to him whenever.
As for Peguero, his 30-day rehab window had expired, so he needed to either be activated or optioned to AAA, and the Giants chose the former. And what a fun time to be activated, as today is his 29th birthday! Presumably the move was decided before Monday’s game, as Alex Pavlovic reported that Peguero was with the team yesterday.
The flamethrower is still a rookie, after making his MLB debut late last year. He gives the Giants some added heat, as he makes triple digits look easy. Peguero only had a 4.82 ERA in 10 rehab appearances, but struck out 11 batters while walking just three in 9.1 innings.
